Senior Vice President, Earned Media Strategy

Senior Vice President, Earned Media Strategy Role (Sports):

Come join the Brand team in our New York office. If you love brand marketing and have a passion for building campaigns for globally known brands, this is the role for you!

We are seeking:

An experienced and dynamic Senior Vice President (SVP) of Earned Media to lead our earned media efforts for high-profile sports and lifestyle brands. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned media strategist and storyteller with a deep understanding of the sports industry, cultural trends, and the ability to connect brands authentically with their audiences. This individual will oversee a high-performing media team, drive innovative strategies, and act as a trusted partner to both clients and agency leadership.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Media Expertise:




• Serve as the subject matter expert in earned media with a specific focus on sports, lifestyle, and entertainment brands.
• Develop and lead breakthrough earned media strategies that resonate with diverse audiences and align with client goals.
• Build narratives that connect brand priorities to cultural moments, sports events, and fan passion points.
• Be the senior media counsel for clients, addressing challenges, seizing opportunities, and guiding strategic decisions.




2. Client Management & Growth:




• Build and nurture strong client relationships while serving as a strategic advisor and collaborator.
• Identify and deliver proactive media storytelling opportunities to drive client success and unlock account growth.
• Represent earned media expertise in client presentations, vision decks, and strategy sessions with an engaging and persuasive presentation style.




3. Team Leadership & Collaboration:




• Oversee and mentor a team of earned media professionals across pillars, ensuring high standards of performance and collaboration.
• Partner with integrated agency colleagues, cross-office teams, and senior leadership to deliver exceptional results for clients.
• Foster a positive, solutions-oriented team culture that balances a rigorous work ethic with creativity and fun.




4. Executional Excellence:




• Craft comprehensive campaigns that integrate traditional PR, digital, social, and influencer channels to optimize earned media impact.
• Leverage relationships with key journalists, editors, and media outlets across sports, business, lifestyle, and spirits categories.
• Ensure flawless execution of media programs, from sports brand activations to influencer integrations and event-based media campaigns.




5. Crisis Management & Rapid Decision-Making:




• Provide counsel on crisis-related issues, navigating situations with quick, effective decisions and incomplete information.
• Safeguard brand reputation while maintaining credibility with clients and stakeholders.




6. Cultural Engagement & Trendspotting:




• Stay ahead of trends in sports, pop culture, and lifestyle to shape campaigns and position brands at the forefront of the cultural conversation.
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset, constantly seeking opportunities to challenge the status quo and innovate.

Qualifications:

• Experience:12+ years of experience in media relations, ideally with a significant focus on sports or entertainment marketing; agency experience managing integrated communications campaigns across multiple clients is preferred.
• Leadership Skills:Proven ability to lead large teams, mentor talent, and manage cross-functional teams across cities and offices.
• Media Relations Expertise:Deep familiarity with the earned media landscape, along with strong relationships across media categories, including sports, lifestyle, and business.
• Strategic Vision:Exceptional ability to craft narratives and align media strategies with cultural moments that drive brand relevance and fan engagement.
• Client Service:Track record of exceptional client service, with the ability to effectively counsel senior management at client organizations.
• Executional Skills:Demonstrated expertise in integrated media campaigns, including leveraging social, digital, and influencer-driven channels.
• Problem-Solving:Strong crisis management and rapid decision-making skills.
• Communication:Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as proficiency in creating and delivering compelling presentations.
• Educational Background:Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field; advanced degrees are a plus.

Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to work with globally recognized sports and lifestyle brands at the intersection of culture and media. As part of our leadership team, you'll play an essential role in shaping the future of earned media strategy and driving meaningful, culturally resonant campaigns.

If you're a trailblazing media professional who thrives at the intersection of sports, culture, and storytelling, we'd love to hear from you!

The Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k (with employer match)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Juice Money - $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soul
• MyDays - Flexible holiday schedules
• Short-Term Disability
• Paid Employee Family Leave
• Family Building Benefit

NYC Salary range: $160,000 - $225,000

Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee's/applicant's background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.

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